Saying Goodbye to Band: Why You Should Hire A Band Kid
Senior year means that it is the season of lasts- and after the Gopher Football win at the Duke's Mayo Bowl, I have hung up my uniform for the final time.
My 10-year journey has been pivotal to my development as a leader and communicator. Here are some of my favorite experiences and lessons that have made me a great communicator on, and off, the field:
👥 Leadership: I held my first leadership position at the age of 12 as Drum Major for my middle school parade band. Taking that opportunity at such a young age gave me the ambition to keep growing. I naturally found myself gravitating towards those roles; continuing as Drum Major for three years in high school and two years as an alto sax leader at the University of Minnesota Marching Band. I learned how to effectively communicate with a large group of my peers and to my supervisors. (hello account management!)
📣 Pride: The band never loses! In college I played for 30 football games. Win or lose we supported our team and played for the dedicated fans. It was imperative for the integrity of our group and the tasks at hand to keep a positive mindset and overcome the mental challenges. I’ve learned not to dwell on mistakes but instead look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
🎼 Team work: There is no "I" in band. There are 320 members in the Pride of Minnesota and each week we work together to form intricate drill, memorize copious amounts of music and even learn a few dances. I work best with a team around me and I thank my bandmates for that.
🎷 Dedication: I've lost count on the number of hours I've spent with band, but just know we spend over 150 hours together before school even begins. We have given band nearly every Saturday and hours of after school time. I wouldn't change anything about it.
🌆 Community: This band, this city, alumni, lovers of music - all of these people truly add to the positive community that band has cultivated. My favorite part of gameday was leading a tailgate band through a pregame lot. It was my job to talk to Gopher fans and coordinate songs to play for them. One day when it was too rainy to bring out the instruments, I took a group out to SING for fans instead! I couldn't imagine a Gopher gameday without talking with our community and UMMB has given me that chance.
My roommate, Makenna, and I conduct the Alma Mater for the band after our homecoming game: My favorite senior tradition
I am thankful for my friends, music educators, parents, and passion for this activity. Band gives its participants such unique opportunities to thrive and learn what it is like to feel passion and hard work. My hard work has paid off, and I look forward to what my determined attitude brings me next.
Hiring Managers - This is your sign to hire the band kid.
